Hinterkind #14 (Vertigo Comics)

The story in this issue is well-handled and interesting, but revolves around one element: the end of most of the human race. The last issue dealt with how the virus started and here in Hinterkind #14 we see the after-effects as we flash forward through 20 or more years through the eyes of several characters.

The flashbacks are all solid and help to establish the origins/background for plenty of characters; to writer Ian Edginton’s credit, I was interested to see how these backstories played out, as they were emotionally gripping, especially Asa’s scenes concerning the remnants of the United States government. This added background and development really helped renew my interest in the series after it slightly waned after the slightly disappointing end to the second arc.

Dammit, if only math had a solution to this.

With regards to the writing, it’s all very good. The characters are written well, with Edginton building on the characterization from last issue and moving the story along cogently with each passing time jump. Sure, maybe the US government scene might have had the characters jump a bit too far (could have used a bit better development with these individuals), but it made for some interesting story bits at least. The dialogue is pretty solid for the most part and features some great lines, especially with Jon Hobb talking the queen down. The pacing and story structure were all very decent, never going to fast or having any awkward transition despite how many scenes there were in the book. All in all, this is really one of the best issues of the series to date on the writing side alone and I hope when we return to the present, it can keep this up.

However, the artwork by Francesco Trifogli is still what it is. I say this every issue, but I still hold firm with it: the artwork isn’t bolstering the comic as much as it could, and could stand to be a little less bland given the setting and premise. It works and usually doesn’t have any problems with it (though there was a bit of inconsistent coloring in the final page where a girl is on a grassy bank instead of a dirt one in previous panels), but it could use some sprucing up. I will say that book was able to do a good job with conveying some of the heavier and more emotional bits, like Asa’s daughter sadly dies, and letting you able to fully grasp the characters’ pain, so there is that in the end.

Is It Good?

Hinterkind #14 is a good follow up to the previous issue, developing the backstory for the characters and the current world even further. The writing was great, the characterization was pretty solid for the most part, and it does help reignite one’s interest in the series after a lackluster second arc ending. Hopefully the next issue can keep up this nice increase in momentum.